Michala Woodruff

Escaping into Adventure

Welcome aboard to one of our more intense tours on a 1700s ship-of-the-line (64-98 guns). This week, in part two of the tour, we’ll start on the back (aft) of the main deck to the front (head). Here we’ll also meet a boatswain (bosun) and discover some jobs on this part of the ship. Who knows, you may even be persuaded to set sail on the high seas yourself. Nevertheless, you’re in for a treat; so much happens on the main deck! Let’s dive in, shall we?

              First, on the very back (aft) of the ship in the poop deck, a high platform which forms a roof over a cabin directly below. The poop deck looks down on the quarterdeck along with its view over the rest of the ship. This deck was used for observations. According to The Bluejackets’ Manuel by the United States Naval Institute, we’re to scan a certain way. Seeing for at least 15mi. out on the ocean, scan a spot in 5° movements and pause between them for around 5 seconds to scan field view, but don’t stare; instead, look up for a little bit then look back down to your next 5° section to scan (p. 480-481). But how can we scan the ocean at night? Teresa Carey (2014)—author of Sailing at Night: Can you See in the Dark? for Cruising World—explains, “Raise your fist in front of you with an outstretched arm. The width of your fist is about 10 degrees. You can verify this by resting your vertical fist on the horizon and stacking one fist over another, hand over hand, counting each time. When you reach nine fists tall, theoretically it is 90 degrees, and you should be looking at a 90-degree angle from the horizon, or at your zenith (para. 11).”

              Next on our docket today is the quarterdeck which is another raised deck but behind the main mast. This is one of the most important places on the ship, because here is where the wheel of the ship is. If the steering wheel is taken out, then . . . your ship’s in trouble. The quarterdeck is also where the captain and master gave orders. According to Wikipedia, no one else was allowed on the quarterdeck expect when specifically summoned or if you were a navigator; the quarterdeck was a reserved place for officers of the ship (para. 9).

Thirdly, we have come down to the main deck which you probably know is the biggest deck on top of the ship, but what exactly happens on this deck? Well, every sailor aboard this ship will be on the main deck at some point. So, a lot happens, but let’s focus on the boatswain (bosun) whose main job was to secure the ship’s rigging. However, according the USS Constitution Museum, boatswains was responsible for many other things such as sails, colors (flags), anchors, the ship’s lifeboats, cables, and had a silver call (a whistle) around his neck to show his rank when guiding others to do their work in a quiet fashion. The VIII. Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies, 28 November – December 1775 states that boatswains are to receive fifteen dollars each month.

              We could go on, but there’s one more place we must stop by. The forecastle which is the frontmost deck and right before the figurehead. The forecastle is where the anchor rests. Lieutenant Commander Tomas J. Cutler—a retired U.S. Navy gunner’s mate second class and author of Anchors, Chains, and Stoppers for the U.S. Naval Institute—explains, “Scope is the amount of chain [of an anchor] put out to hold a ship in place. The scope used is normally five to seven times the depth of the water. For example, if a ship is anchoring in ten fathoms (60 feet) of water, she will use between 50 fathoms (300 feet) and 70 fathoms (420 feet) of [anchor] chain (para. 6).” Plus, ships could have more than one anchor!

              Right!? There’s so much that goes into a ship. Next time, we’ll be descending into the gun decks and learn to shoot a cannon. (; If you have a any questions, don’t hesitate to jot it in the “Leave a Reply” box below or through the “Contact” section above. Thank you!

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